Uluwatu, a simply not-to-miss

“Ooo la la, a breathtaking sight to behold”, I exclaim in glee (of course I wasn’t jumping up and down but rather in a quiet manner). My husband was stunned to be perched up on the cliff while being slapped by the breeze on the brink of the azure hued Indian Ocean. A sense of serenity surrounded us for a moment. There was silence followed by a reluctance to leave the place.

This was how I felt when I first got there at Uluwatu temple which is known for its spectacular shrine, amazing beach as surfing site and fabulous scenery of the cliff at the edge directly overlooking into the sea. It was not only a splendor at first glance but with a sacred aura encircling around us, it was totally epic.  Also the panoramic view of the God’s miracles is felt here. I stood in the plateau in sheer silence with my eyes gazing wide into the horizon with shades of turquoise skyline and white clouds floating around while sounds of the whirling waves that slam the rocks entertain my senses from the 250 feet below me. There was a calming effect to see the waves retreating into the ocean by leaving behind the little traces of white bubbles disappearing after awhile. A surge of serenity was felt within me for a moment. I think my husband felt the same as his glance was fixated on the beautiful endless ocean for a long time. Beyond doubt, this place would be every photographer’s desired spot for their portfolios. 

It was a bright sunny day as we made our way to the steep valley on the west of Pecatu village of Kuta district towards the Uluwatu shrine stands majestically at an altitude of 1997 meters above sea level on a stone bridge jutting into the glistening blue sea on the southwestern tip of Bali Island. A spectacular vista in which the temple hangs right over the edge. The sacred abode is made up of black coral and ancient rock formation marvels any tourist at a first glance. The walkway just before we reach the temple is quite scary due to the nuisance of the monkeys along the route. According to our tour guide, the monkeys are attracted to snatch away spectacles or sunglasses, handbags, hats and anything else they can get their hands on. I decided to keep away my sunglass but still cling into my handbag. Ha-ha. It was believed that the monkeys are guarding the temple. I was feeling slightly panicky but with my husband by my side and the Madhey; it was not so bad after all. By the way, the monkeys were huge and quite aggressive looking!

 Soon after, we were welcome by Ganesha statues flanking the arched gateway. Every temple we visited, there was rather unique architecture of the temple structure, the walls, or even the statues. It can be an intricate carving of the building or the art of the Bali’s mythological menageries; it just screams for exclusive work of art that is worth mentioning. On the other hand, I was more fascinated by the ambiance which of my interest. An astounding sunset that one should not miss, the cool breeze, or even the beauty of the natural landscape, it just gets to the bottom of my heart.     

So what’s so special about this temple? I was curious to know. According to Madhey, Uluwatu is one of the oldest shrines in Bali which is deemed to guard Bali from the sea spirits which was found along the coast of Bali. Back in 11^th century, this temple was established as a place of worship by a holy priest named Empu Kuturan who disseminated the teachings of indigenous village with all the rules. The famous Javanese priest Nirartha (the one founded the Tanah Lot temple) who end his journey at Uluwatu for his final days where he attained Moksha (freedom from earthly desires) while meditating. Hence, this place was deemed to be sacred by the kings in the past. The temple's revered custodians, along with hundreds of nobles, devotees, and priests conduct a festival every seven months that celebrates the importance of Uluwatu temple to the whole of Bali with elegant rituals meant to bless all residents of and visitors to Uluwatu temple and town. 

One of the Hindu teachings encompasses the life after death. It is believed that the life after death have diverged into two facet; heaven and hell. Heaven or Sorgham is promise of goodness while on the other hand; hell is a gateway to anguish. One cannot embrace themselves into Sorgham unless they have completed their duties and fulfilled their religious attainments by attaining liberation from earthly desires called Moksha. Moksha is also believed to be body sublimation by disappearing from the world without leaving their physical body. This could possibly explain how Nirartha disappearance episode in Bali could have taken place.  

Between the relaxing walk above, and savoring the tranquility of the shrine, Uluwatu is a place that encourages relaxation, contemplation, and the enjoyment of life's simple pleasures. Beautiful views and nature's wonders are nowhere more prevalent than here, in enchanting Uluwatu.

It’s Monday and there is so much to do yet I feel the drag

I promised myself last night that I will put on my best attitude and a wide smile for Monday (and not to be moody). Yet once again it was a failed effort no matter how hard I tried.  You know the usual attributes with the blues, sulky and feeling lost. To make things worse, it has been super busy period for past couple of weeks where I have way too much work, because of all the work I need to do in the coming weeks. Last Friday I put off some on hold till Monday comes because I was simply too sluggish, tired and looking forward to the weekend. Come what may, I believed that Monday would make it all better.

When the alarm rang at 6am on Monday morning, I wake up with a heavy heart and hollow feeling hating life and work and everything about it that might be responsible for me being moody. Here it goes my typical Monday in the not-so-good ambiance. I kicked off my blanket, got out of bed, took a shower thinking it might help to cheer me up by the time I step outta my house for work. Only to find it didn’t make a difference at all. Now, finally awake and aware this is how my life is and I have to go on even though it’s a drag. Perhaps, it is just about the thoughts and I quickly made an effort to jazz up my spirits with some inspiring thoughts, listening to the whacky Djs of FlyFm radio station and also fast beat songs that somehow kicked my energy level. Now I need to get my ass down to working and keeping my mind focused. 

One thing that got me perked up was the victory of my favorite Spain team. Viva la Espana! I and my husband were excitedly discussing about Spain’s players line-up and predicted that they will be the Euro 2012 winner with their top form of players. Spain has yet again proved their skills and the glory is shining ever since the last World Cup. My husband was amazed that I watch football not for good looking players but more into the quintessence of the game. I admit I don’t really know the nitty-gritty details of football rules but I can make with what it is about fairly. Since my husband is an avid football fan, he got excited when he knew I do enjoy football to some extent and he believes that I would be his best companion in near future (also to refill his coffee/snacks/ bites, hehehe).

Just as I step into the office, while grabbing my usual coffee from the coffee maker, I just realize how challenging one’s life can be. Most of my friends are married, some with a child and some still savoring their singlehood. Some of us have a stable career of passion; some still studying (God knows till when) and some are still job-hopping. Suddenly I feel most of us are already hitting the 30s and time to plan for a more secured life in terms of career development, fiscal future and also family life. Oh no! So many things are running up and about in my little head and this was definitely not my normal Monday. What has got into me? Perhaps it all popped from last week’s brainstorming discussions. My career is moving into a more challenging phase with the next 6 months. My marital life needs a clear direction as it is fairly difficult to live far away from my sweetheart. We both need each other so much as well as getting into the family life ahead.  

But we both are very understanding when it comes to our life planning. My husband is very encouraging and aspiring when it comes to progress in life for a better future. Hope this is not for too long. Missed you more than ever today.

A weekend well spent

Last weekend was exciting (and it’s been something I looked forward) when I got back to my husband’s place to spend the weekend with him!!  After weeks of hectic schedule, finally we both made time for us to meet up for a quickie (super busy + super stressed). It was a lovely Saturday where we got to wind up ourselves. Just out of random, we both made up our mind to take an evening drive around the city to take a breather since the climate was super sweltering. So we hop into the car and my husband wanted to put his photography skills into action. I was excited to see the ‘photographer’ in action! It was this day that I became his ‘model’. 

Then… Ready, action, roll! Click! Click! Click! My hubby was rollin em’ with so much of passion! Pigeons, recreational park with burst of greenery, Sunway Water Park, heavenly garden landscape etc etc. I was in awe!

I have admired the work of many photographers for some time now, ever since I started having the passion with my not-so-great digital camera. Of course I didn’t own a DSLR but it will do with my simple camera for amateur like me.  But after our wedding, my husband quickly indulged himself into photography. Soon after, he got a DSLR for himself and started his venture whenever he travels, on weekends and during his leisure time. I was thrilled to know that there is a potential photographer in the make and that person is none other than my love.  The photo session cum time-together was perfect and we could have spent more than 3 hours driving around from one place to another finding for a beautiful location and interesting facet of nature that could capture our attention. 


I would love to post a few pictures of my husband’s shots! But I am yet to get it from him. Once I get the portfolio from him, I might update this post then. One thing for sure, he is simply amazing with his new toy and quickly picked up the skills to my surprise. I will be an ardent fan of his shots forever. Way to go sweetheart.

I seem to be getting energized after the trip although I was having lack of sleep and the fatigue of pretty occupied weekends.

It’s not only a word…

Today was just one of those days where everything I did reminded me of you and every song I heard somehow brought me to you. I know you’ve been busy, I had things to do too. We haven’t talked for some time, I wonder if everything’s fine with you. I had other stuff on my mind, I’m sure you did too, but I just had to tell you this baby…I miss you. You may be out of my sight… but never out of my mind…

Days go by so fast, but there is not a single moment where you never were in my thoughts. Life feels incomplete when you are not here beside me. I know we both have been living apart due to our careers and it has been sometime since we have seen each other. Somehow it is that very moment when I was feeling not well that I just wished you were right there with me.

It’s YOU. You mean everything to me… you are the first thought in my head in the morning when I wake up and my last thought before I go to bed.

I can't really tell you how much I miss you now but I am sure it is a little too much. I Miss You!

A ray of hope

Just sitting here, thinking about the beautiful moments we had last Sunday, missing my fiancé, I watched the storm move over the lofts across the street. Lightning was striking behind the houses, and like the gloomy skies, this sad feeling struck in my mind. My fiancé left to Cheng du for his latest business trip on Sunday (just a week exactly after our engagement). I felt so void suddenly. But the thought of him doing well in his career is worth the sacrifice.

Here I was, almost in confused state of mind for the upcoming scientific advisory committee meeting. For all of the troubles and shortcomings my team experienced for the past 6 months made us stronger. Although we are firing up our asses in short time to come up with some substantial outcome for the embarked genome project, the outcome of it is fulfilling. Being a research scientist in private profitable organization, the research we are working on is not all about benefits to the scientific communities, and bringing about an optimistic change for the world but also for the value and profit making for the company as well. We had been brainstorming with our consultants trying to figure out the alternative plan A, B, C, etc etc etc versions of what my work might be and ready to kick myself if I didn’t make it happen. How could I have been so critical?

When it comes to work, my fiancé talks about his worries about our future, I’m so quick to remind him that God has a plan or inspire him about timing and patience of what God has ahead of us. He will relent to me and keep his spirits high by working his way up the career ladder. Truthfully, his knowledge and dedication did well for him. All by God’s grace. It took all my guts and faith in his potential which keeps him going.

As I thought about after rain effect, the colors that paint the sky is so beautiful, and that’s the first ray peeking through giving a new hope of life. I would want to be the woman behind his success and him behind my success as well. I can’t wait for you to come back Hun and establishing the framework for our big day! Lots of excitement coming up soon.

Amidst the uncertain events that happen around the world, one can be forgiven to think of the future as doom and gloom. But there is still a ray of hope for each one of us and that will see us through difficult times, no matter how bad they may turn out to be.

That ray of hope is your personal attitude of life. It will guide you through thicks and thins of life. It’s a must have in order to have a successful and prosperous life. To me it’s the key that opens your mind and heart to better job performance, and an enriching career.
A positive attitude is important to your social status, your health, your work, the way you challenge obstacles, and the kind of people you attract to your life. A positive attitude will bring more positive opportunities into your life. In a world that revolves around who you know, a winning attitude can make you a star in your social network and net you the opportunity of a lifetime. It attracts successful people who share the same goals.
So what can a positive attitude get you? Positive opportunities which come from your social network, superior health, great success when challenged, and it can make you fun to be around so that more people want to be with you.
Whatever happens, be proactive and take charge of your belief and attitude. Only YOU have the power to make those changes within yourself.

I'm engaged!

So, as of November 27th 2011, I am no longer waiting and single! I'm so glad to be engaged to my sweetheart of 4 years. HOWEVER, this past weekend was almost too much to handle. It was ecstatic moment for me (even though I was slightly anxious on how things going to happen). Here’s the good news to all: I'm engaged to be married to a truly amazing man early next year.
I could not be happier than anything to announce to all who care to know that I am getting married! (to some extend people whom are jealous of me also waiting to know; just that they got nothing to do besides poking their nose into our ass! Haha). I am very excited to have FINALLY found the man I want to share my entire life with for as long as I live. This is a very happy time in my life and I am doing my best to take it all in, and appreciate all that it is and all that he is to me.

We got “engaged” on Sunday night. The ambiance of the betrothal ceremony was close to perfection. It was around 8 am when I got up that morning in anxious state for a precious moment of my life. I was welcomed by my family members to a special treatment since I was the princess of the day. My cousins were already here to decorate the house with fairy lightings, balloons and other decorative flower. It’s like in a snap of a finger; everything was right in front of me. The flow of the event was in place just close to perfection. Everyone was singing praise over the gorgeous decoration in the temple, food was delicious despite the fact it was vegetarian and also the memorable ceremony unfold beautifully without any hiatus by God’s grace. The elders say if you have a good heart and thoughts, everything will be a blessing to us.

Confetti in the air. Love shined in our eyes. Symbol of betrothal adorned our vena amoris. Happiness blossomed in everyone’s heart. Blessings of God and genuine souls attended this ceremony. Abundance of joy. What more could I ask for? A day I would cherish till eternity.

Becoming engaged has made me suddenly aware that I feel I am seeking a new phase of life and new relationship blossomed. It means my social obligation takes me off to a different ground! I am usually uncomfortable when people that I am not extremely close with suddenly lifts the expectation to sync in future life. We are going to be sharing the atmosphere with them in social functions and also be part of them to uphold my new family name together. But this time around I myself was taken by surprise when I was feeling comfortable by my fiancé’s family members who all turn up at our engagement ceremony to bless us wholeheartedly and share the beginning of our blissful journey into marital life. All their love could be seen through their eyes and the blessings by sincere wishes welcoming me into the family. I am looking forward for a wonderful family bonding with these lovely souls in near future.

I have never been as happy and fulfilled in a relationship with a man as I am in this one. I am being treated so well, and been made to feel as loved and desired as I do, and had as much affection, acceptance, and appreciation as I receive from him. I am left wishing for nothing. In addition to that, I have always been rather surprised that a woman could literally be taken by total surprise by abundance of love & not see it coming at all in times of despair (It was in one of the family conflict, I saw him standing up for me just because some ‘smart alec’ mistreated me virtually). It leaves me wondering how much love he actually has for me and how is he going to take good care of me by making such a huge sacrifice for me. Part of what has made me feel so secure and fulfilled in my relationship is the total transparency.

Thank you Lord for giving me the man of my life!

Joy of my life

My sweetheart is back finally! I looked forward for so long for my sweetheart to arrive home safely. Thank God for his safe return. This is the longest trip he had so far. Before this he travelled to Chengdu and Virginia a couple of times but it was always a short trip. Everyday I hoped silently that he comes back to me soon. As his flight touch-down, he quickly flip out his BB to give me a call knowing I would be excited to hear his voice. I was euphoric and feeling relieved that he is safe and sound in our homeland! The next moment, I was already in my car, ready to pick my Raj.

I took AL just to be able to receive him and treat him with a good and delicious Indian food which he missed for a month. Just as the arrival announcement glared in the waiting hall, I quickly rise to look out for Raj and much to my excitement, I caught a glimpse of him with his luggage and backpack making his way towards me with a wide grin which I missed so much. For all I know, the next moment I was in his arms. A warm hug! The joy of my life is back to me and we have a wonderful moment waiting for us. I can't wait to do it together with you sweetheart!


I know he was terribly tired after a long flight journey.

I wish my hunny bunny could have spend a day with me here but he cant. The short time we spend together was meaningful for us and I couldn't ask for more. Thanks hun for the Levi's denim that you got me and the pretty souvenir for home! Very thoughtful indeed. Hope you have a good rest and recover from jetlag soon!

You need to re-brand and re-fresh yourself for our big moment! Take care handsome!